The Battle for Eire is coming in 2018 to Busch Gardens Williamsburg – It is a new Virtual Reality (VR) ride so get ready to be TOTALLY immersed in a new world like no regular ride can do!

Slip on your magic lenses, hop aboard a dragon and join the battle to save the Magic of Ireland. this is 360 degrees of adventure on the new Battle For Eire ™ — Action VR Ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Here is the story:

The Otherworld needs a warrior. Team up with the last fairy guardian, Addie, and set out to rescue the sacred Heart of Eire. Addie will need the parks guests to help her. Hang on tight as you soar above the lush landscapes and mystifying powers of the Otherworld. Prepare to battle the dark forces. Will you be a hero? Take flight and fight the evil Dark Lord, Balor, to bring light to the darkness. Test your courage and send your spirit soaring on this one-of-a-kind, virtual reality thrill, coming spring 2018 In Chapter 1- Learn all about the VR headsets being developed, the story of the video and how that is produced and finally the hero character development. All of this behind-the-scenes information is in stage 1 of development. Follow along and don’t forget to check back every month for exciting content, including construction updates & blog posts from your official tour guide, Liam.

• Addie – The heroine

Addie – The heroine
Her love of green isn’t coincidental. She is faithful to her Irish heritage through and through, and she’ll go to great lengths to protect her homeland. This fierce fairy is free spirited and one of a kind…literally. She is the last remaining fairy of Ireland and she needs help to recover the sacred Heart of Eire from the evil Balor and his minions.

• Ollie – Addie’s dragon sidekick

Ollie – Addie’s dragon sidekick
Ever seen a tatted up dragon? Well get a load of this big guy. Addie’s trusty sidekick is the strong silent type who isn’t afraid to stand up for the little guys. His body is adorned with Celtic emblems and symbols, all of which are difficult to see when he is enchanted into a stone statue. But he is awoken as a final defense to protect the Heart of Eire.

• Balor – The villain

Balor – The villian
This sinister dark lord isn’t easy on the eyes. Or in his case eye. This Cyclops is a snorting, tusked menace who gains power from consuming the good magic from Ireland. Brash and brooking with a taste for power, Balor is the personification of blight and drought who will stop at nothing to gain ultimate dominion.

• Sluagh – Balor’s minions

Slaugh – Balor’s minions
These guys are evil. But that’s not hard to tell with those bug eyes, piercing teeth and sharp claws. Slaugh (pronounced SLEW-ahh) are corrupted guardian fairies who are now shadows of their former selves. They buzz around their dark lord Balor, flocking together to help the evil leader take his ultimate physical form.

Now check out our Top 5 things you want to know about the new VR Busch Gardens Ride Battle for Eire!

Wait, where is this new VR Ride going to be located? Europe in the Air’s old spot – watch this video to see why this was the perfect location:

Located in the Ireland village of the park, Battle For Eire is a marriage of a motion-based theater simulator with state-of-the-art 360-degree virtual reality headsets, creating an innovative experience unlike any other in the attraction industry. Riders will be completely immersed within the story and be able to see, hear and feel actions happening all around them, both through the virtual reality headsets and within the motions of the simulator.

“We are taking guests on an incredible journey,” said Larry Giles, Vice President of Engineering at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. “The movement of the simulator combined with interactive special effects from the VR headsets will deliver an exciting, high-energy experience, with a great storyline.”